Is There a Connection Between Light and Atoms?

[bakenoor]

Hi,

is there the concept of light in an Atom??

 

[Zacku]

Hi,

is there the concept of light in an Atom??

Hi,

First what do you call concept of light? The electrons and the nucleus in an atom are actually held together because of the electromagnetic interaction whose propagating waves are usually called "light" so in this sense yes "the concept of light" exists in an atom.

 

[Drakkith]

Zacku is correct. Photons are considered the force particle for the electromagnetic force.

Also, when a photon interacts with an atom, the photon is absorbed and converted into a form of energy in either the electrons or the nucleus. For example, when light is absorbed in your eye it gets absorbed by a molecule called Retinal. When this happens the energy of the photon forces the Retinal to change shape. This change of shape starts a complex set of reactions that ultimately result in Vision.

Another example is sitting next to a fire. The fire puts out visual light which we can see, but it also puts out thermal light, which is just photons that are a lower frequency than visual light that we are unable to see. These thermal photons are absorbed by your skin, clothing, the ground, ETC, and are converted into heat energy in the material.